At a Glance
Get off the beaten track and tick off one of New Zealand’s Great Rides on this deluxe, 4-day, self-guided cycling tour of the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Explore New Zealand’s most rugged landscapes and step back in time to discover the glamour and glitz of the 1870s gold rush era.
Departing from Hokitika, set off on two wheels to discover the iconic West Coast Wilderness Trail where miners from around the world came to make their fortunes. With emergency support on hand if required, cycle at your own pace through native bush, past shimmering lakes and take in breathtaking views of the stunning Southern Alps including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s tallest mountain. Take a scenic eco-boat cruise through one of New Zealand’s most high value wetlands and spend the night in ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Shuttle from Hokitika to Treetop Walk on Day 1
- Shuttle to Dorothy Falls on Day 2 and to Canoe Cove (Lake Kaniere) on Day 3
- 3 nights’ accommodation on a twin share basis
- Luggage transfers each day (Max 15KG per bag)
- 3 breakfasts, 2 packed lunches and 1 dinner
- Dinner at Scenic Waterways
- Dinner at Cowboy Paradise
- Entry to Treetop Walk
- Lake Mahinapua boat cruise
- Standard bike hire for 4 days – including helmet and rear rack bag. E-bike upgrade is available at an additional cost
- Trip itinerary, directions and trail map info
- Guided tour to Hokitika Gorge and loop walk by local tour guide expert
Itinerary
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Cycling Information: 15km | Easy Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand’s wild west coast! Your trip starts from the town of Hokitika, considered the hub of the Wilderness Trail, and easy to fly to from Christchurch. In Hokitika, take a stroll around the quaint town centre, have an early lunch before meeting us at our centrally located depot for your bike and trail briefing. After a trip briefing, your shuttle will take you to Treetop Walkway where you can experience the native forest, birdsong and views of Lake Mahinapua by foot from the heights of a tree canopy. Hop on your bike and cycle back to Hokitika through the magnificent forest and wetlands of the Mahinapua Scenic Reserve. This ride takes you through pristine wetlands and continues through native forest bordering Mahinapua Creek, host to many species of waterfowl and other bird life. Cycle through a scenic reserve with forest giants that were once ubiquitous on the coast. Take an scenic cruise upstream to Lake Mahinapua – a historic route that was used by pioneers and gold miners. Along the way, keep an eye out for local wildlife including the majestic kotuku (white heron). In the evening, refuel with a delicious dinner provided by your hosts. |
West Coast Scenic Waterways or similar, Hokitika 
Dinner |
Cycling information: 30km | Easy From Hokitika, our shuttle takes you out to the beautiful Hokitika Gorge, one of the scenic highlights on the West Coast. The stunning turquoise waters are a photographers dream and the Podocarp bush walk to the swing bridges is not to be missed. Eventually we return to the shuttle and continue through the quiet back roads before the road climbs to find the beautiful Lake Kaniere, nestled in rainforest surroundings. At Dorothy Falls we’ll unload the bikes and your cycling for the day begins. From Dorothy Falls via Hans Bay, the ride continues until you arrive at the outlet of Lake Kaniere and the start of the beautiful single-track Kaniere waterway trail. Heading towards Hokitika, you will follow the Kaniere water race, which was built in 1875 to supply water for sluicing the Kaniere Goldfields. From here you will cycle through lush native forest and along the historic Kaniere Tram Road, taking in some breathtaking views of the Hokitika River before making your way into Hokitika. Stay the night in Hokitika. Make sure you head down to Sunset Point to catch the last rays of light for the evening! Enjoy a delicious smorgasbord dinner. |
West Coast Scenic Waterways or similar, Hokitika Breakfast, Lunch |
Cycling information: 49km | Easy This morning our shuttle driver will take you on the short drive to Canoe Cove, on the edge of Lake Kaniere. From here you will continue on the cycle trail and gently ride the zigzags up through Milltown. Today you will continue through pristine bushland and take in the stunning views of the creek below as you cycle across the Macpherson Swing Bridge. From the swing bridge, take in impressive views of the gorge, which is surrounded on either side by tall rimu and kahikatea trees. Continue along the trail and the spectacular Southern Alps will come into view, making for some of the trip’s best photo ops. From here, follow the sweeping boardwalk and bush trail down into Kumara, another historic gold rush town that was once home to New Zealand’s longest serving Prime Minister Richard John Sneddon. Tonight, you will stay in a lovingly restored miner’s hotel that pays homage to the glamour and glitz of the 1870s goldmining boom. So, take time to explore the local area: learn about the town’s rich history along the Heritage Walking Trail or visit nearby goldrush sites. |
Theatre Royal Hotel or similar, KumaraBreakfast, Lunch |
Cycling information: 28km | Easy After one last hearty breakfast, start your day with flawless views of the Taramakau River before making the journey to the Tasman Sea alongside coastal sand dunes and lagoons. One last ride along the Grey River will take you into Greymouth, just in time for a celebratory lunch at New Zealand’s leading craft brewery: Monteith’s Brewery (optional). Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region, so take time to take time to explore a fascinating history of jade hunting, gold mining and dramatic river floods. Entertainments include galleries, sea fishing, fly fishing, rafting, caving and, of course, nearby Shantytown, a faithfully recreated 1900s pioneer town, which provides a real sense of what it was like to live in New Zealand then and what it means to be a New Zealander now. If you have time, consider upgrading your trip to include a journey to Christchurch onboard the iconic Tranzalpine train. The Tranzalpine is New Zealand’s finest inland rail journey, traversing the stunning Southern Alps and the vast Canterbury Plains. There is no better way to cap off an incredible trip! NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
NoneBreakfastDates & Prices
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings. Single Supplement is available at an additional charge.
More Info
Known as the “Land of the Long White Cloud”, New Zealand’s climate is complex with cool temperate climates in the far south and severe alpine conditions in the mountainous areas. The average annual temperature in the South Island is 10 degrees Celsius, with the warmest months being January or February and the coldest month being July. The mean annual rainfall in New Zealand’s West Coast varies from 2000mm to 10,000mm and is considered one of the wettest regions in the country.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
